Folding bedstead



(No ModeL) Lina area.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. W. BENT. roma ne BEDSTEAD.

Patented Nov. 15, 1887.'

Fig.1.

N. PETERS. Pboltrh'lhognpiven Wishinglnn, D-C

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

" G. W. BENT.

FOLDING BEDSTBAD. v No. 373,121. Patented Nov. 15, 1887.

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two uprights a ct and of three cross-bars, ff

Nrrnn rates rear tries.

FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

SPECIFICATION forming partiof Letters Patent No. 373,121, dated November '15, 1887.

' Application filed May 14, 1887. Serial No.238,204. (No model.)

T0 on whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE WHITFIELD BENT,ofHyde Park, in the county of Norfolk, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Folding Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare the same to be described in the following specification and represented in the accompanying drawings, of which- H Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bedstead as unfolded for use; Fig. 2, a longitudinal sec tion, and Fig. 3 a bottom view of it in an unfolded state and provided with my invention. Fig. 4 is a vertical section ofit in a folded condition.

The nature of my invention is defined-in the claims hereinafter presented.

The mattress-sustaining frame of this bedstead is in two separate sections, A and B, which, when the bedstead is folded, extend between and against and the longer one is pivoted to the two uprights a a of a base-frame, O, the pivots of the longer section being shown at b b in Figs. 1 and 2. Each section has within it a slatted frame resting on springs, or instead thereof a woven -wire bottoming extending across and fastened to the sides and ends of the section,and both sections are connected by hinges, as shown at d.

The base-frame O is mainly composed of the J, extending from one to the other of such uprights, all being arranged as represented.

The section A carries the head-board ormantel g, and the section B supports the foot-board h. Furthermore, to the longer section,A,there is a pair of legs, lc,each of such legs being hinged to the frame and joined to the next adjacent uprightabyaconnection-barl,which,arranged as shown, is pivoted to both upright and leg. On the longer section being turned up into a vertical position each of its legs willbe turned into such a position, or thereabout, as shown in Fig. 4.

The head-board 9, connected to the section A by hinges, (shown at t Min Figs. 1 and 4,) has pivoted to it at one or each end of it an arm, k, slotted lengthwise to receive a stud or screw, 1, projecting from the frame. The slot in the arm at its outer endhaving a recess leading out of it at a right angle to receive the stud when the head board is in the inclined position shown in Fig. 2. The slotted arm and the stud are means simply ofholding the headboard in such inclined position.

The shorter section. B, is hinged, as mentioned, to thelonger section, A. so as, with the part of the mattress M within it, to be capable ofbeing folded over upon the longer section and part of the mattress therein. When the longer section is in a vertical position, the shorter section will stand very nearly so and be between the end standards ofthe base-frame, the two sections being thus confined in their positions by astrap, 1, (see Fig. 4.) projecting from the lower section and buttoned upon a button, 112., extending from the side of the longer section.

Forsupporting the shorter section when in a horizontal ,position, as shown in Fig. 1, there are struts n,hinged attheir lower ends to the base-frame, and when inclined, as shown in said figures extending up ward into notches s in the two opposite sides of the shorter section, B, of the frame, or againstsuitable abutments fixed to such sides. Each strut is held in its inclined position by a chain or strap, 0,extending from it to the next adjacent standard of the base-frame. (See Fig. 1.) Each strut has projecting rearwardly from it a cam,p,which, while the longer section is being turned down to a horizontal position,will be acted on by it, so as to force outward into an inclined position the said strut. A chain or cord,r, attached to the strut and the longer sect-ion, causes the strut to be drawn backward and held in a vertical position on the longer section being turned upward.

Fixed to each of the frames or sections A and B,hinged together,is one of two separate bottomings,D,of woven wire. By having the bottomings separate one can be folded over the other, the mattress at the time being folded upon itself with the shorter one. Besides, there is less sagging in the larger bottoming while in use than would be in a single woven-wire bottoming extending over and fixed to the two sections.

An apron, E, of cloth or other suitable materia1,is connected at two of its opposite edges to the two sections A and B at the lower parts of their abutting ends when the two sections are horizontal and in range with each other, such apron having a width to cause it to extend across and cover the front ends of the two sections when the shorter is turned over upon the longer one, in which case the apron covers the bend of the mattress, so as to protect it from dust when the bedstead is in a folded state.

I am aware that spring-mattresses have been folded in the middle. This weakens the mattress at the point where the greatest weight of the occupant of the bed comes. In my device the fold is at one end-the foot, where there is very little weight to injure the spring of the mattress,

I claim- 1. The combination, with the base-frame and with the two mattress or bedding supporting sections hinged together and having the longer arranged between and pivoted to the standards of the base-Frame, of the struts provided with cams and pivoted to the base-frame and having a cord or strap extending from each of them, the said struts to the longer section, the shorter section having notches in it to receive the upper ends of the struts, and all being substantially and to operate as set forth.

2. The combination, with the base-frame and with the two mattress or bedding support ing sections applied,as described,to each other and to such frame, of the legs hinged to the longer section, the bars connecting such section and legs, the struts provided with cams and pivoted to the base-frame, and the straps or cords connecting such struts and frame, all being substantially and to operate as represented.

3. The combination of the main mattresssupporting section and the head-board pivoted or hinged thereto, and the slotted arm and stud for holding the head-board in an inclined position, with the lever-legs fulcrumed to the main section, and the bars connecting the upper parts of such legs with the uprights of the base-frame, such bars being arranged with and pivoted to such legs and uprights, as set forth.

4. The combination of the apron E, thetwo mattress supporting sections A and B, arranged and connected substantially as described, such apron being connected with such sections and for use therewith, and the mattress, as set forth.

GEORGE WHITFIELD BENT.

\Vitnesses:

R. H. EDDY, R. B. TORREY. 

